Check around to see if there are any bank repo places nearby. Often you can find something good there at a resonable price. My son's first car was one he bid on at a bank. It was repo car. Drove it home. Needed tires and AC repair. Cost him $300. Drunk driver hit it and it still drove and got $900 from insurance settlement.
Looking for a car for the kid, Part 2
- Thread starter Sunnyinhollister
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https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/1995-oldsmobile-cierra-cutlas/6476690362.html
73,000 miles. ( IF thats accurate and the odometer works.)
I have owned several of these. V-6 is plenty fast, maybe too fast for a new driver. Don't know which engine is in it, i'd prefer the 3.3 over a 3.1. 3.8 would be okay too if you do the lim gaskets.
73,000 miles. ( IF thats accurate and the odometer works.)
I have owned several of these. V-6 is plenty fast, maybe too fast for a new driver. Don't know which engine is in it, i'd prefer the 3.3 over a 3.1. 3.8 would be okay too if you do the lim gaskets.
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I wouldn't see why not with the Rodeo if it is in good condition.
I got my Jeep when I was 16 and had 20k more miles. It has been a great purchase and the 4wd has been fun!
I understand those who say kids usually wreck, so if the Rodeo is cheap I say go for it.
Teach your son the immense responsibility of driving a vehicle and it will repay. My dad did to me, and 6 years later I've never had an accident to date.
My advice is to get him something slow. My Jeep being 4k pounds with a slow 4.0 kept me out of a lot of trouble!
I got my Jeep when I was 16 and had 20k more miles. It has been a great purchase and the 4wd has been fun!
I understand those who say kids usually wreck, so if the Rodeo is cheap I say go for it.
Teach your son the immense responsibility of driving a vehicle and it will repay. My dad did to me, and 6 years later I've never had an accident to date.
My advice is to get him something slow. My Jeep being 4k pounds with a slow 4.0 kept me out of a lot of trouble!
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Originally Posted By: 2strokeNorthstar
Crown Vic. Dirt cheap to buy and run and give him some incentive to work and get something better.
Going, going, gone ... what? 2011 was end of a fine car legacy already dated ... both of mine were refined and reliable - yet rugged when called upon ...
Crown Vic. Dirt cheap to buy and run and give him some incentive to work and get something better.
Going, going, gone ... what? 2011 was end of a fine car legacy already dated ... both of mine were refined and reliable - yet rugged when called upon ...
RE: The Takata airbag issue.
IMO, this whole Takata airbag issue has been greatly exaggerated by over-zealous media coverage. I, for one, don't find these kind of scare tactics at-all amusing.
Not all of the Takata air bags will explode and expel shrapnel when they are activated, in fact, only a very small percentage of them will do this and mostly in vehicles that are older and have lived most of their life in areas of very high humidity (Florida, Hawaii, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast Coast, etc). The fact is that there have only been 20 deaths and 250 injuries reported worldwide out of many hundreds of thousands of airbag activations. The recall will impact more than 37 million vehicles involving 49.5 million inflators in the U.S. alone. An individual is more likely to be struck by lightning twice or die in a plane crash than to be involved in a accident AND killed by one of the Takata air bags.
IMO, this whole Takata airbag issue has been greatly exaggerated by over-zealous media coverage. I, for one, don't find these kind of scare tactics at-all amusing.
Not all of the Takata air bags will explode and expel shrapnel when they are activated, in fact, only a very small percentage of them will do this and mostly in vehicles that are older and have lived most of their life in areas of very high humidity (Florida, Hawaii, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast Coast, etc). The fact is that there have only been 20 deaths and 250 injuries reported worldwide out of many hundreds of thousands of airbag activations. The recall will impact more than 37 million vehicles involving 49.5 million inflators in the U.S. alone. An individual is more likely to be struck by lightning twice or die in a plane crash than to be involved in a accident AND killed by one of the Takata air bags.
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It sucks when you are one of possibly a thousand people looking for that cheap, low mileage car. People on here always parrot "get a nice cheap civic or corolla" without realizing that although demand might not be high in anytown usa where everyone drives a truck, they are not a good value in large urban areas where everyone drives a car.
I think you have two options:
1. Increase mileage range. There are high mileage cars that are not clapped out, you just have to identify them and use their high mileage as a bargaining chip.
2. Buy a car that needs some sort of repair that is expensive for a shop to do but not bad for a DIY. Any tasks that are labour intensive but not that difficult like a clutch replacement or head gasket. I would want something that obviously has some issue that needs addressing but that still runs and drives so you can evaluate the rest of the car. Personally I would not be concerned about the interior or exterior, those are going to get ruined anyway.
You mentioned that your son would be doing his own maintenance, I don't know what type of projects you two are capable of. If you want something good and cheap, you are going to be doing more than brakes.
My first car was a 2000 Golf 2.0 5 spd. It was rusty, the paint was dull and the interior was pretty gross at first. It had 192k kms and it cost me $1200. I got new seats and door panels from the scrap yard that made it respectable. My point is having trashed paint and or interior limits the market of that particular car. Mechanically it could be solid as a rock but if it has ripped or stained seats, carpet and headliner normies will pass on it.
You are not going to get a quality, low mileage car that has no issues for 3k. Maybe in ND, but not a chance in CA.
I think you should focus less on mileage and just get a brand name imported car with a manual transmission. Those are the cars that can reach high mileage without any expensive repairs.
I think you have two options:
1. Increase mileage range. There are high mileage cars that are not clapped out, you just have to identify them and use their high mileage as a bargaining chip.
2. Buy a car that needs some sort of repair that is expensive for a shop to do but not bad for a DIY. Any tasks that are labour intensive but not that difficult like a clutch replacement or head gasket. I would want something that obviously has some issue that needs addressing but that still runs and drives so you can evaluate the rest of the car. Personally I would not be concerned about the interior or exterior, those are going to get ruined anyway.
You mentioned that your son would be doing his own maintenance, I don't know what type of projects you two are capable of. If you want something good and cheap, you are going to be doing more than brakes.
My first car was a 2000 Golf 2.0 5 spd. It was rusty, the paint was dull and the interior was pretty gross at first. It had 192k kms and it cost me $1200. I got new seats and door panels from the scrap yard that made it respectable. My point is having trashed paint and or interior limits the market of that particular car. Mechanically it could be solid as a rock but if it has ripped or stained seats, carpet and headliner normies will pass on it.
You are not going to get a quality, low mileage car that has no issues for 3k. Maybe in ND, but not a chance in CA.
I think you should focus less on mileage and just get a brand name imported car with a manual transmission. Those are the cars that can reach high mileage without any expensive repairs.
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Pls get him something safe. You cant buy another child.
http://www.informedforlife.org
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens
Almost every one of those cars on the list are out of the price range. And the prices they list for some of the lower cost ones are a wee bit optimistic for this area.
Those kinda start in the 4-5k range. I'd spend a little more and get something that will last a few years. While the chances of it getting totaled is higher with a young driver, lots of young drivers never totaled their first car, mine survived my younger years. You may also just want to co-sign for a loan and make the kid pay for it. Less likely they'll trash it if it's their money. No little cars like a Civic on that list. Certain safety items kicked in in certain years. I think 2012 they had stability control as a required safety item but some earlier models might have it. Also I think the latest studies on what makes a safe driver is the total time behind the wheel and being able to cope with unfamiliar territory so don't just drive the same route all the time.
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Pls get him something safe. You cant buy another child.
http://www.informedforlife.org
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens
Almost every one of those cars on the list are out of the price range. And the prices they list for some of the lower cost ones are a wee bit optimistic for this area.
Those kinda start in the 4-5k range. I'd spend a little more and get something that will last a few years. While the chances of it getting totaled is higher with a young driver, lots of young drivers never totaled their first car, mine survived my younger years. You may also just want to co-sign for a loan and make the kid pay for it. Less likely they'll trash it if it's their money. No little cars like a Civic on that list. Certain safety items kicked in in certain years. I think 2012 they had stability control as a required safety item but some earlier models might have it. Also I think the latest studies on what makes a safe driver is the total time behind the wheel and being able to cope with unfamiliar territory so don't just drive the same route all the time.
Originally Posted By: 4WD
Originally Posted By: 2strokeNorthstar
Crown Vic. Dirt cheap to buy and run and give him some incentive to work and get something better.
Going, going, gone ... what? 2011 was end of a fine car legacy already dated ... both of mine were refined and reliable - yet rugged when called upon ...
There was a guy on here who bought one "for his wife". After a few months of driving it she wanted nothing to do with it.
Originally Posted By: 2strokeNorthstar
Crown Vic. Dirt cheap to buy and run and give him some incentive to work and get something better.
Going, going, gone ... what? 2011 was end of a fine car legacy already dated ... both of mine were refined and reliable - yet rugged when called upon ...
There was a guy on here who bought one "for his wife". After a few months of driving it she wanted nothing to do with it.
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Pls get him something safe. You cant buy another child.
http://www.informedforlife.org
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens
Almost every one of those cars on the list are out of the price range. And the prices they list for some of the lower cost ones are a wee bit optimistic for this area.
Those kinda start in the 4-5k range. I'd spend a little more and get something that will last a few years. While the chances of it getting totaled is higher with a young driver, lots of young drivers never totaled their first car, mine survived my younger years. You may also just want to co-sign for a loan and make the kid pay for it. Less likely they'll trash it if it's their money. No little cars like a Civic on that list. Certain safety items kicked in in certain years. I think 2012 they had stability control as a required safety item but some earlier models might have it. Also I think the latest studies on what makes a safe driver is the total time behind the wheel and being able to cope with unfamiliar territory so don't just drive the same route all the time.
This might make him a slave to that car and insurance payment. Just because you never smashed up your first car does not justify going from 3k budget to getting a loan for a new car that might not get wrecked, but will almost certainly get trashed and have low resale. That new car is going to be more expensive to insure, too.
Maybe for a girl who doesn't wrench but wrenching on a [censored] car will teach him a lot, and when he gets a car that is actually valuable he will know how to take care of it.
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Pls get him something safe. You cant buy another child.
http://www.informedforlife.org
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens
Almost every one of those cars on the list are out of the price range. And the prices they list for some of the lower cost ones are a wee bit optimistic for this area.
Those kinda start in the 4-5k range. I'd spend a little more and get something that will last a few years. While the chances of it getting totaled is higher with a young driver, lots of young drivers never totaled their first car, mine survived my younger years. You may also just want to co-sign for a loan and make the kid pay for it. Less likely they'll trash it if it's their money. No little cars like a Civic on that list. Certain safety items kicked in in certain years. I think 2012 they had stability control as a required safety item but some earlier models might have it. Also I think the latest studies on what makes a safe driver is the total time behind the wheel and being able to cope with unfamiliar territory so don't just drive the same route all the time.
This might make him a slave to that car and insurance payment. Just because you never smashed up your first car does not justify going from 3k budget to getting a loan for a new car that might not get wrecked, but will almost certainly get trashed and have low resale. That new car is going to be more expensive to insure, too.
Maybe for a girl who doesn't wrench but wrenching on a [censored] car will teach him a lot, and when he gets a car that is actually valuable he will know how to take care of it.
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Giving your kid a car LOL. When I got my first car I bought it. It must be great being a spoiled brat these days.
Originally Posted By: maxdustington
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Pls get him something safe. You cant buy another child.
http://www.informedforlife.org
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens
Almost every one of those cars on the list are out of the price range. And the prices they list for some of the lower cost ones are a wee bit optimistic for this area.
Those kinda start in the 4-5k range. I'd spend a little more and get something that will last a few years. While the chances of it getting totaled is higher with a young driver, lots of young drivers never totaled their first car, mine survived my younger years. You may also just want to co-sign for a loan and make the kid pay for it. Less likely they'll trash it if it's their money. No little cars like a Civic on that list. Certain safety items kicked in in certain years. I think 2012 they had stability control as a required safety item but some earlier models might have it. Also I think the latest studies on what makes a safe driver is the total time behind the wheel and being able to cope with unfamiliar territory so don't just drive the same route all the time.
This might make him a slave to that car and insurance payment. Just because you never smashed up your first car does not justify going from 3k budget to getting a loan for a new car that might not get wrecked, but will almost certainly get trashed and have low resale. That new car is going to be more expensive to insure, too.
Maybe for a girl who doesn't wrench but wrenching on a [censored] car will teach him a lot, and when he gets a car that is actually valuable he will know how to take care of it.
I'm not sure where you got that I was recommending a new car from just saying he should spend a little more. And I meant a little more like a couple thousand, not an extra 10-20k.
Also while accident rates are higher for teens, it's not like they're guaranteed to total a car. Exact stats are hard to find, but this mention that first year drivers have a 43% chance of being in an accident and 2nd year is 37%, but that doesn't mean the car is totaled, cars get fixed all the time. It mentions that advanced driver training can lower that number to 4.6%.
https://www.safetyinsurance.com/driversafety/tips_statistics.html
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: Sunnyinhollister
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
Pls get him something safe. You cant buy another child.
http://www.informedforlife.org
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicles-for-teens
Almost every one of those cars on the list are out of the price range. And the prices they list for some of the lower cost ones are a wee bit optimistic for this area.
Those kinda start in the 4-5k range. I'd spend a little more and get something that will last a few years. While the chances of it getting totaled is higher with a young driver, lots of young drivers never totaled their first car, mine survived my younger years. You may also just want to co-sign for a loan and make the kid pay for it. Less likely they'll trash it if it's their money. No little cars like a Civic on that list. Certain safety items kicked in in certain years. I think 2012 they had stability control as a required safety item but some earlier models might have it. Also I think the latest studies on what makes a safe driver is the total time behind the wheel and being able to cope with unfamiliar territory so don't just drive the same route all the time.
This might make him a slave to that car and insurance payment. Just because you never smashed up your first car does not justify going from 3k budget to getting a loan for a new car that might not get wrecked, but will almost certainly get trashed and have low resale. That new car is going to be more expensive to insure, too.
Maybe for a girl who doesn't wrench but wrenching on a [censored] car will teach him a lot, and when he gets a car that is actually valuable he will know how to take care of it.
I'm not sure where you got that I was recommending a new car from just saying he should spend a little more. And I meant a little more like a couple thousand, not an extra 10-20k.
Also while accident rates are higher for teens, it's not like they're guaranteed to total a car. Exact stats are hard to find, but this mention that first year drivers have a 43% chance of being in an accident and 2nd year is 37%, but that doesn't mean the car is totaled, cars get fixed all the time. It mentions that advanced driver training can lower that number to 4.6%.
https://www.safetyinsurance.com/driversafety/tips_statistics.html
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
To the OP, spend some time searching on the internet on autotrader.com
You can enter in your zipcode and the distance you are willing to travel, and the maximum amount you are willing to pay, and even the make, model, year, and weather the engine is a four, or a six cylinder, and manual or automatic transmission.
You can enter in your zipcode and the distance you are willing to travel, and the maximum amount you are willing to pay, and even the make, model, year, and weather the engine is a four, or a six cylinder, and manual or automatic transmission.
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Id suggest getting your kid to pay part of it and thus allowing you to spend a bit more. Re: corolla and takata, its likely the recall is done for free. You would just need to call in with the vin #.
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Here's what kids' first cars should be:
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Just hope and pray when you bring him home his very first set of wheels,you don't get this reaction haha
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Here's what kids' first cars should be:
Something 40 years old you can loose your life in or be badly injured 10X easier if your in an accident?
Here's what kids' first cars should be:
Something 40 years old you can loose your life in or be badly injured 10X easier if your in an accident?
I cant say much, my dad got me a 73' Beetle back in the 90's for my first car.
Originally Posted By: JohnnyJohnson
Giving your kid a car LOL. When I got my first car I bought it. It must be great being a spoiled brat these days.
Agreed, it really is a rite of passage. My friends that had their parents buy them cars trashed them - crazy stuff. They jumped them, neutral drops, going 20 in reverse and throwing it in drive. I never did that since I saved up to buy my cars and knew if I destroyed them my parents wouldn't buy me another.
$3k buys a lot of Uber/Lyft rides. Kid needs some buy in on whatever you do, worst thing you can do is bring home a car and tell him this is what you'll be driving.
Giving your kid a car LOL. When I got my first car I bought it. It must be great being a spoiled brat these days.
Agreed, it really is a rite of passage. My friends that had their parents buy them cars trashed them - crazy stuff. They jumped them, neutral drops, going 20 in reverse and throwing it in drive. I never did that since I saved up to buy my cars and knew if I destroyed them my parents wouldn't buy me another.
$3k buys a lot of Uber/Lyft rides. Kid needs some buy in on whatever you do, worst thing you can do is bring home a car and tell him this is what you'll be driving.
Go on craigslist with your son and see what sparks his interest...
You are competing with the field workers for reliable used cars. No matter where you look around us.
Once in a while something comes up in Monterey ...
In SF you will get dot.com hand me downs, but they can cost to fix...
Anywhere there is AG work, you are competing with AG workers who are all looking for what you are looking for ...
Find four or five car/SUV's he's interested in and get with the program. Go together on test drives. Listen to his comments.
The best search areas for us are greater Sacto area and Vaccaville/Fairfield. Lots of commuters into the Bay Area so they rack up the miles w/o much real wear. Yeah, it's a tough outing going through Bay Area traffic to go see a car, but it's bonding time. AND, if he won't go for a 2 hour ride to see a car, you don't need to consider it ...
I'd be looking at 1990's stuff. But make sure he's got some skin in the game, or it will be abused and left on the side of the road dead ... I speak from personal experience - mine to my folks, and the boy to us years ago ...
The safety talk presupposes that he'll wreck it. Prolly true. But there are two ways to deal with that, crumple zones and mass. A wrecked 1990's Chevy PU will absorb a lot and stay intact. So will a Saab. You can prolly fix the Chevy. The Saab will be gone to the wreckers for sure. Once modern stuff is bent, it's toast. Older SUV's - not so much
I will happily take my chances in my 88 Big Bronco vs any Corrola/Civic out there ... Ditto the F-150
You are competing with the field workers for reliable used cars. No matter where you look around us.
Once in a while something comes up in Monterey ...
In SF you will get dot.com hand me downs, but they can cost to fix...
Anywhere there is AG work, you are competing with AG workers who are all looking for what you are looking for ...
Find four or five car/SUV's he's interested in and get with the program. Go together on test drives. Listen to his comments.
The best search areas for us are greater Sacto area and Vaccaville/Fairfield. Lots of commuters into the Bay Area so they rack up the miles w/o much real wear. Yeah, it's a tough outing going through Bay Area traffic to go see a car, but it's bonding time. AND, if he won't go for a 2 hour ride to see a car, you don't need to consider it ...
I'd be looking at 1990's stuff. But make sure he's got some skin in the game, or it will be abused and left on the side of the road dead ... I speak from personal experience - mine to my folks, and the boy to us years ago ...
The safety talk presupposes that he'll wreck it. Prolly true. But there are two ways to deal with that, crumple zones and mass. A wrecked 1990's Chevy PU will absorb a lot and stay intact. So will a Saab. You can prolly fix the Chevy. The Saab will be gone to the wreckers for sure. Once modern stuff is bent, it's toast. Older SUV's - not so much
I will happily take my chances in my 88 Big Bronco vs any Corrola/Civic out there ... Ditto the F-150
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